Chapter 18

Asella guessed the reason for Philip’s change in attitude.

He wanted to get rid of the scars on her body before she got married. He knew that it would not do any good to show her disfigured body to the Grand Duke.

That was fortunate for Asella.

“Madame Efredieu should be here soon. She’s going to fit you for the wedding and reception dresses, so get ready.”

“… Yes.”

“Oh, and…”

Philip added just as he remembered.

“If you need anything, just tell me. I’ll prepare whatever you need.”

This remark was so funny that Asella had to suppress the giggle that was trying to escape her lips.

The Benvito family was supposed to pay for the entire wedding.

If the wife took the husband’s last name, specifically in Asella’s case, the wedding would take place in the bride’s house, but the man would pay for the wedding. Decorating the chambers where the bride would stay was also an important task.

But in return, the woman would bring a reasonable dowry with her such as an inheritance or a private property, which was arranged in advance. The opposite was true when the head of the family was a woman and therefore the husband had to take his wife’s family name.

However, Philip refused to provide a dowry when he married Adele since his family’s circumstances were too difficult to do so.

Meanwhile, he received all the necessary expenses for the marriage.

In other words, the Benvito family paid for the wedding dress, the flowers, and decorations for the ceremony, the food for the reception, the invitations, and all other necessary expenses.

Thanks to Philip’s proud blabbering, this matter reached the ears of Asella from the servants.

‘A shameless man.’

He didn’t even know what the word “shameless” meant.

The only time this happened in the aristocracy was usually when one of them was remarrying or a fallen nobleman. Then, it was difficult to arrange a dowry by any means.

For that exact reason, Philip, the third son of a poor count family, married Adele empty-handed.

However, Asella’s wedding was neither.

The young lady of the House of Chartus, an Imperial marquis family, was getting married, but she passed the cost on to the other party without a proper dowry for the trivial reason that it would be a burden.

As soon as this shameless and brazen story became known by everyone, rumors naturally began to circulate.

They sold her.

Indeed, they did.

It was true.

But at least he could hide it from the public! No matter how distasteful he was, he could at least do that.

In aristocratic society, honor was the most important thing. No matter what the circumstances were internally, as long as it didn’t show up, it wouldn’t be a big problem.

The property that could be given as her dowry was only a small fraction of the vast fortune that Adele had left behind.

If Philip spared any of that money, he could save the family honor, but no, he chose to drive the family reputation to the ground just to save some of that money.

This would serve as the excuse to justify his actions afterwards, no matter what Archduke Benvito did to her.

‘… It’s okay.’

She knew that it was too late to get out of Philip’s clutches.

But Calix Benvito was no better than Philip.

Her blue eyes roamed the room until they stopped at the jewellery box placed carefully on the table.

‘But perhaps Mariel could…’

Asella remembered a seeming possibility.

It was the hope that perhaps that tiara might be of some use to help her sister.

If she succeeded, Mariel’s circumstances might improve, even if it was only slightly. She might even be able to live a different life than the one she had.

Asella thought of the words written in Mariel’s last letter, which gave strength. She clenched her hands into fists.

Philip’s mouth curved at the sight of her.

‘Thinking about useless things again.’

It was Philip who had started out with nothing and ended up in the position he was in now.

Even without looking, it was obvious what the young girl was thinking.

Philip was the first to make the move.

“That’s pretty much it, Asella. You’ve inspired me to reconsider your worth.”

Turning her face back to the voice she had heard, Asella met Philip’s creepy smile. Her body naturally stiffened at the mocking look in his eyes, and her pupils trembled slightly.

Philip’s venomous eyes slowly scanned Asella.

She had a face similar to her mother’s fair face, but it was unlikely that the one and only Calix Benvito would be so easily taken by looks. However, this was still a mystery.

“You don’t think… I’m going to use that tiara to do something crazy, do you?”

Asella felt suffocated.

Philip’s calm voice continued. If anyone didn’t know, it sounded like the kindest and gentlest father in the world.

“Yeah, for example… the act of deceiving your husband with your looks and sweet talk, and using him for your own gain.”

It was a threat, spoken in a terrifyingly gentle voice.

“You’re a good girl. I have nothing to regret if Mariel doesn’t open her eyes tomorrow.”

Philip whispered with a gentle chuckle.

“…!”

Asella’s body flinched.

The small flame of hope was quickly trampled on and extinguished.